Little John and the four Beggars

All you that delight to spend some time, With a hey down, and a down, A merry song for to sing; Unto me draw near, and you shall hear How little John went a begging. As Robin Hood walk'd the forest along, And all his yeomen dree; Says Robin, some of you must a begging go, And little John it must be thee. Says John, if I must a begging go, I will have a Palmer's weed; With a staff and coat, and bags of all sorts, The better then shall I speed. Now little John is a begging gone, Seeking for some relief; But of all the beggars he met on the way, Little John he was the chief. But as he was walking himself alone, Four beggars he chanced to spy, Some deaf, some blind, and some came behind, Says John, here's brave company. Good-morrow, said John, my brethren dear, Good fortune I had to see; Which way do you go? pray let me know, For I want some company. Stand thee back thou crooked carl, And take that knock on the crown; Nay, said little John, I'll not yet begone, For a bout I will have with you round. John nipp'd the dumb, and made them roar, And the blind that could not see; And he that had been cripple seven years, He made him run faster than he. Then he got out of the beggar's cloak, Three hundred pound in gold; Good fortune had I, said little John, Such a good sight to behold. And you begging trade I will give o'er, My fortune hath been so good, Therefore I'll not stay, but I will away To the forest of merry Sherwood. Then Robin Hood took little John by the hand, And dane'd about an oak tree, If we drink water while this does last, Then an ill death may I die